Recently, the Pentagon announced that a plethora of military equipment would be sent to Ukrainian forces to help control continued aggression from pro-Russian forces. Now, a newly announced plan – if approved by Congress – would send additional aid to the war torn nation along with U.S. servicemembers who would help train Ukrainian forces, according to USA Today.
The Defense Department announced Aug. 1 that it would send an $8 million aid package to Ukraine, which includes military equipment such as armored personnel carriers, cargo and patrol vehicles, binoculars, night vision goggles and small patrol boats. This followed a similar $7 million aid package in April. Both care packages are smaller than the newly proposed plan, however.
More aid, equipment and now trainers
According to The Hill, the U.S. military may send forces stationed in Europe or from the California National Guard to help equip and train Ukraine forces. The military would send members of the California National Guard because soldiers from the state have worked with Ukraine forces before. The servicemembers would help four companies of soldiers and one tactical headquarters of the Ukrainian national guard. Not only that, the measure aims to send $19 million in aid to the country.
"Our intent is to use $19 million in Global Security [Contingency] Fund authority," Rear Adm. John Kirby said, according to The Hill. "That's what the authority's for."
The news agency reported the fund was shared by Defense and State departments for counter terrorism initiatives and security training procedures.
Pushing forward
The plan comes after the European Union and the U.S. announced a new round of sanctions against Russia due to the internationally unrecognized annexation of Crimea and continued support of pro-Russian separatists in the region. According to USA Today, Kirby reported there were 10,000 Russian troops 35 miles outside of the Ukrainian border. Additionally, Russia has supplied separatists with lethal weapons – such as rocket launchers – and military vehicles. A Pentagon report also revealed Russian forces had launched artillery against Ukrainian soldiers.
Despite Russia backing separatist forces with, the U.S. and European Union have maintained that they would not send lethal weaponry into the country.
"The focus of our assistance remains on non-lethal. We continue to review requests for military assistance from the government of Ukraine through an interagency process," Kirby said, according to The Hill.
As of yet, the Pentagon does not plan to send any lethal weapons. However, the Ukraine government has requested anti-tank weaponry, small arms, F-16 fighter jets, anti-aircraft weaponry and other lethal equipment. U.S. officials maintain that there will be no U.S. military intervention in the region and the situation will solved by Ukraine forces. To avoid increasing tensions in the area, or making the territory less secure, military officials are poring through options to provide the most effective support to Ukraine. The increased support to Ukraine is a bipartisan measure coming from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, according to The Hill.